The UCS Gen3 platforms includes both rack-mounted and blade server form factors. For the first time, Cisco is also providing a unified management system for both types of systems. Going a step further, Cisco is building out a new management tool that can handle multiple UCS deployments across disparate data center locations.

"From an operational perspective this allows a small number of administrators to manage very large scale infrastructures," Brian Schwarz, director, UCS product management in the Cisco Data Center Group, told InternetNews.com. "It also allows us to set the stage for global configuration capabilities."

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.